Wire-compensator and railway-signal.



N0. 634,273. N. RATCHFOBD.

WIRE CUMPENSATOR AND RAILWAY SIGNAL.

(Applicativi: led Duc. 10, 1897.)

Pgt'entedct. 3, |899.

um mm3 s sheets-snee:

WITNESSES Mr www l' No. 634,273. Patented Det. 3, |899. N. RATCI'IFURD.

WIRE GOMPENSATOR AND RAILWAY SIGNAL.

(Application mnd Dec. 10, 1897.3 ull-o Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2WITNESSES W3/262%@ @XW BY ma ARNEY No. 634,273. Patented out. s, |899.N. ATcHFnnn.

WIRE COMPENSATOR AND RAILWAY SIGNAL.

(Applicatinn led Dec` 10, 1897.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

A WITNESSES: I I

l an] g /INVENTOR ATTORN EY ATEN Erich...

NICHOLAS RA'roI-IFORD, on GREENVILLE, oIIIo.

WIRE-COM PENSATOR AND RAILWAY-SIG NAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,273, dated October3, 1899.

Application filed December 10, 1897. Serial No. 661,447. (No model.)

T0 all whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, NICHOLAS RAroHnonn, a citizen of the United States,residing at Greenville, in the county of Darke and State of Ohio, haveinvented a certainnew and useful Improvement in Wire-Compensators andRailway-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of wire-compensators of thatclass which are adapted to be used in conjunction withrailway-signal-operating wires, and has particular relation to theimprovement of the mechanism set forth in'my former Letters Patent, No.535,921, dated March 19, 1895.

The objects of my present inventionare to simplify the construction ofthe device shown in said former patent, to provide improved means forautomatically throwing the targetsignal to the danger position in casean operating-wire should become broken, and to produce otherimprovements in details of construction and arrangement of parts, whichwill be more fully pointed out hereinafter. These objects I accomplishin the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure1 is a side elevation of my improved compensator. Fig. 2 is a plan viewof the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of thecompensator-sections, showing the same removed from itssupporting-framework. Fig. at is a side elevation of one of thecompensator-sections, showing the arms thereof disengaged from theadjusting or draft block. Fig. 5 is a View in elevation of the forwardend of a compensator. Fig. 6 is a sectional View on line xa; of Fig. 2.Fig. 7 is a detail view in perspective of one of the guide and barconnecting blocks which I employ as hereinafter described. Fig. 8 is adetail view in perspective of one of the draft-blocks. Fig. 9 is asimilar perspective view of one of the forward guides, showing a portionof one of the compensator-section bars connected therewith. Fig. 10 is aview in elevation of a semaphore or railway-signal, and Fig. l1 is adetail view in elevation of a coupling-bar which I .employ in connectingone of the compensator-wires with the signal-operating lever.

of said lugs.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention I may employ one or morecompensator-sections, which are supported and arranged as hereinafter described.

. `Although the sections forming my improved compensator are shown anddescribed herein as supported horizontally,it will be obvious that thesame may be utilized in a vertical position when desired. Each of thecompensator-sections consists of two normally parallel bars 1, thesebars being rigidly connected at one end of the sections by means of anintervening block 2. This block 2 is provided on its front and rear facewith projecting eye-lugs 3, and on the outer and inner faces of each ofthe blocks 2 I form guidelugs 4, each of these guide-lugs being providednear its outer end with an angular recess, (indicated at 5,) whichresults in the production of a short tongue extension 6 on each In theirrear halves the upper surface of the lower bar and the under surface ofthe upper bar 1 are provided with inwardly projecting and inclined teethl. The rear end of each of the bars l is, as shown more clearly in Figs.3, 4, and 9 of the drawings, secured to the cross-bar of an H-shapedguide-frame 7, the parallel vertical arms of each of these frames 7having formed on their upper and lower ends outwardly-projecting guideand bearing lugs S, which are tooth-shaped or triangular incross-section. Between the toothed portions of the bars l I provide anadjusting or draft block 9, two opposite sides of which are providedwith teeth which, as shown in the drawings, are adapted to engage withthe teeth la of the bars l. This draft-block is provided on its frontand rear sides with projecting eye-lugs l0 and on its outer and innerfaces with parallel guide and bearing lugs l1, said lugs 11 beingprovided with short tongue extensions (indicated at I2.

With one of the eye-lugs 10 is connected, as shown more clearly in Figs.3 and 4: of the drawings, one endof a coiled spring 13, the remainingend of thelatter being connected with an eye-lug 3 of the block 2. Withthe rear draft-block lug 10 is connected either IOO directly or throughthe medium of a short chain-section, if desired, one end of one ot thesignal-operating wires 1-1, the latter` extending outwardly between thedisconnected ends ot' the bars 1 and bei ng connected with the usual ordesirable form of operating-lever. (Not herein shown.)

A com pensator-section constructed as hereinbefore described is adaptedto be movably supported within a framework which is formed substantiallyas follows: Frein a suitable base 15 rise oppositely-loeated rearframestandards 16, front frame-standards 17, and intermediate standards1S, the upper ends of each pair of these standards being connected by atransverse bolt 10, each of which is surrounded between the standards bya sleeve or pipe section 20. Secured to the inner sides ot the standards16, 17, and 1S are oppositelylocated horizontal frame-bars 21 and 22,the upper or outer frame-bars 21 having their rear end portions inclinedu pwardly and outwardly, as indicated at 23, while` the lower frame-bars22 have their rear end portions inclined downwardly, as indicated at 21.Compensator-supporting frames formed as above described are adapted asshown in Figs. 1. and 2 of the drawings, to be arranged side by side,and one of the compensator-sections, formed as hereiubei'ore describedand Shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 1, is, as indicated by otherfigures, adapted to be luovably supported in each ot said frames. Inthus supporting one of the compensatorsections in one of said frames theprojecting tongues 6 of the block 2 are adapted to project between theupper and lower frame-bars 21 and 22, while the projecting guide-lugs Sof the H-shaped frames 7 embrace the upper and lower sides of saidhorizontal frame-bars.

\Vith the forward eye-lugs 3 ot' the blocks 2 are connected the rearends of signal-operating wires, which in this case are shown at 25 and26.

27 represents a vertical semaphore or signal post, on the upper portionof which is fulcrumed the usual signal-arm 2S, one end of said armcarrying at right angles therewith a danger-blade 22 and the remainingarm end carrying a suitable light-support 30.

Ata point below the signal-arm 2S I cause to be fulerumed to the post 27an operating or lever arm 3l., the latter being provided in the usualmanner near one end with an adjustable weight 32. On one side ot thecenter of its length the lever-arm 8l has fulcrumed thereto one end o1 aconnecting-rod $13, the remaining end of which is fulcrumed tothesignal-arm 2S. Depending from the lever arm or bar 31. on opposite sidesof its Fulcrum-point are keepers or guide-lugs 3-1, which form a supportfor a sliding rod 35, which passes loosely therethrough. At a point onthe lever-arm 31 near one of its ends is fulcrumed a wire-supportingtrigger 36, which has substantially the bell-crank form shown and whichhas a notch in its upper side. At a point on the lever 31 on theopposite side of its fulcrum-point from that on which the trigger 36 islocated I fulcruin a second bell-crank 37. The longer and normally upperarm of this bellcrank 37 is jointedly connected at 3S with the upper endof a short downwardly-extending bar 39. Vith the lower end of this bar39 is suitably connected the upper end of the signal-operating wire 25,while with the notch of the longer arm of the bell-crank 36 is engagedthe upper end of a coupling-bar 25, the latter having a mortise 25" inits upper portion to receive said bell-crank arm, as shown. \Vith thiscoupler is connected the upper end of the operating-wire 26. These wires25 and 26 run from the compensator-sections to said points ofconnection. It is obvious that in order to retain the loop engagement ofthe wire 26 with the longer arm of the bell-crank 36, said bell-crankarm must be retainedin a position parallel with the lever-arm 31 andadjacent to the latter, while the coupler-bar 25 of the wire 25, whichengages with said bell-crank arm, projects in a notch 40 in the underside of the lever-arm 31. In this position the longer arm ot' saidbell-crank lever 36 also has a bearing against the under side ot asuitable lug 1-1, which projects from the outer end portion ot thelever-arm 31. The bell-crank 36 is normally retained in thelastdescribed position through contact of its shorter arm with one endof the sliding rod 35, the remaining end of said sliding rod being incontact with the shorter arm of the bell-crank 37 y and operating toretain the longer arm of the latter in the elevated position shown inFig. lO.

In order to more clearly describe the operation of my device, I willdistinguish the two compensator-sections shown by referring to the sameas the outeran innei"sections. Assuming that a pull is exerted on thatwire 1i which connects with the inner compensator-section and with whichsection is also connected the wire 26, it is obvious that said innersection and the toothed bars 1 which are engaged therewith will be drawnrearwardly until the guide-lugs 8 by engagement with the inclined upperand lower sides of the trame-bars 21 and 22 will have separated saidbars 1 until the teeth thereof are out of engagement with thedraft-block of the corresponding section, as indicated more clearly inFigs. 1 and 11 of the drawings. It is evident that the pull on the wire26 which will result from the movement of the inner compensator-sectionhas resulted in the weighted end of the lever-arm 31 being drawn upwardto the posi-tion shown in the drawings, and this upward movement of saidarm end has resulted in the signal being turned with its danger-blade 29downward to the position shown in Fig. 10. Through the above-describedupward pull o1 one end of the level'- IOO IXO

arm 31 the wire 25 is drawn upward, resulting in the outercompensator-section with which said wire is engaged being drawn towardthe front end of its supporting-frame, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 Itis evident that while the draft-block of the inner section is, in themanner above described, disengaged from the teeth of the bars 1 thespring 13 may operate to take up any slack of the Wires or admit of theextension thereof.

When the pull is exerted on the wire 14 of the outer compensator-sectionin order to reverse the position of the signal, it is evident that saidpull will only exert an influence on the spring 13 of the inner sectionuntil the' guide-lugs S of said inner section have traveled on to thestraight portion of the framebars, at which time the teeth of thedraftblocli of said inner section will engage with the teeth of the sidebars 1.

During the sliding movements of the compensator-sections above describedattention is called to the fact that the projecting tongues 6 and 12 ofthe blocks 2 and 9 will slide between the upper and lower frame-bars 21and 22 of the framework, the space between said bars providing aguideway for said tongues, thus obviating the necessity of employing theslotted guideways for the reception of the guidepins of my said formerpatent. It will also be observed that instead of providing a projectingguide-pin at the end of each of the toothed bars I have provided thelugs 8,which embrace opposite sides of the longitudinal frame-pieces andprovide a positive means for directing the movement of the said bars.

In case one of the compensator-wires-for instance, the wire 25-should byaccident or otherwise become broken o r separated it will be observedthat the bell-crank 37 will be free to swing on its fulcrum-point andthat the shorter arm of said bell-crank 37 will no longer offerresistance to the rod 35. The rod 35 being thus free to move in itsbearings, it is obvious that the longer arm of the bellcrank 36 willdrop downward until the coupler-bar 25a and the wire 26 are releasedtherefrom, thus allowing the weighted end of the lever-arm to dropdownward and causing the blade 29 to swing upward and outward to thedanger position.

In case of a breakage of the wire 26 it is obvious that the tension vonthe wire 25, in conjunction with the blade 22, mustalso result in saidblade 29 swinging to the danger position.

It willthusbe seen that simple, reliable,

v and eifective means are provided for throwing the signal to the dangerpositionin case either ofthe operating-wires should become broken ordisconnected.

Ifrom the construction and operation herein set forth it will be seenthat not only are simple, reliable, and effective means provided forcompensating for the contraction and eX- pansion of the wires, but thatimproved and effective means are provided for guarding against accidentby throwing the signal to the danger position in case of breakage orsimilar accident to the lever-operating wires.

Having now fully described my invention,- what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is- Y 1. In a wire-compensator andrailway-signal, the combination with a compensator-` frame, slidingcompensator-sections arranged therein wire connections between saidcompensator-sections and operating mechanism, and signal-wires 25 and2,6 also connected with said compensator-sections, of a signal-post, afulcrumed semaphore thereon, a fulcrumed lever-bar 31 on said post, arod jointedly connecting said bar and semaphore a weight on one end ofsaid bar, bell-cranks 37and 36 fulcrumed on said lever-bar on oppositesides of the fulcruni-point of the latter, a sliding rod 35 supportedfrom said lever-bar and having its ends in contact with thedownwardly-extending arms of said bell-cranks, said wires 26 having aloop engagement with one arm of the bell-crank 36 and said arm 25 havingan engagement with one arm of the bell-crank 37, substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

2. The combination with a fulcrumed bar 31, of wire-holding bell-cranksfulcrumed to said bar on opposite sides of the fulcrumpoint of thelatter, normally-taut wires 25 and 26 connected with and supportedbysaid bell-cranks and means for so supporting said bell-cranks as toresult in case one of the wires is broken, in the release of the wire,substantially as and for the purpose specified,

NICHOLAS RATCI-IFORD.

In presence of C. C. SHEPHERD, A. L. PHnLPs.

IOO

